Red Wine and Blood Pressure

A recent study suggests that red wine may be effective in reducing blood pressure.

Blood pressure is measured as the force of the blood pushing against the walls of the blood vessels. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is linked to many factors such as obesity, age and family history, and can lead to increased risk for several conditions such as heart disease and stroke.

Researchers at the Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences at the University of Brescia in Italy evaluated 26 patients with high blood pressure and 27 patients with normal blood pressure in this study. Small resistance arteries were dissected from each patient.

The researchers then assessed several types of wine for their vasodilator effects, meaning their effects on the widening of blood vessels and thus reducing of blood pressure. The wines included red wine produced in small oak barrels, red wine produced in large wood barrels, red wine produced in steel tanks and white wine produced in steel tanks.

Blood vessel-widening effects were noted in both the high blood pressure and normal blood pressure patients for all of the red wines. The researchers found that the red wine produced in small oak barrels and the red wine produced in large wood barrels were particularly effective.

The authors concluded that red wine is a more effective reducer of blood pressure than ethanol alone, possibly due to its tannic acid content. They also noted that the similar results between normal and high blood pressure patients suggest that it is safe in both groups.

Additional research is necessary before conclusions can be made.

For more information about integrative therapies for hypertension, please visit Natural Standard's Comparative Effectiveness database.

References

Natural Standard: The Authority on Integrative Medicine. www.naturalstandard.com

Porteri E, Rizzoni D, De Ciuceis C, et al. Vasodilator effects of red wines in subcutaneous small resistance artery of patients with essential hypertension. Am J Hypertens. 2010 Apr;23(4):373-8. Epub 2010 Jan 21. View Abstract

http://www.depsyl.com/

http://back2basicnutrition.com/

http://bionutritionalresearch.olhblogspace.com/